Written questions

Young Offender Institutions: Pepper Spray

Commons · Question 80746 · Tabled 10 Oct 2025 · Ministry of Justice · Official record

Answered 20 Oct 2025

Question

Asked by Zöe Franklin

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the safety of the use of PAVA spray in youth offender institutions.

Answer

Answered by Jake Richards, 20 Oct 2025

In April 2025, the Government announced a limited rollout of PAVA incapacitant spray in the three young offender institutions (YOIs) for 15 to 18-year-olds (Werrington, Wetherby and Feltham A). It was determined that this was a necessary measure to protec...